20/59 Restaurant & Bar in Cottondale is a hidden gem, serving a unique fusion of traditional Southern cuisine with Cajun influences. Owner Melvin Cannon, a Cypress Inn alumnus, has brought his life’s culinary journey under one roof, offering a diverse menu that caters to all tastes.

A Local Favorite

Cannon’s restaurant is located off Interstate Drive in Cottondale, just seven miles away from the University of Alabama campus. The large and easy-to-reconfigure space can seat sorority or family parties of up to 40 people on most shifts. The menu features steaks, ribs, snapper, pastas, burgers, and wings, all made fresh and cooked to order.

Cannon’s culinary journey began at Cypress Inn, where he worked under the guidance of Drew Henson. He later held kitchen leadership roles at Northport Diner and Cypress Inn before it closed in 2019. After years of working in the food industry, Cannon decided to take the leap and open his own restaurant in 2024.

A Family Affair

The restaurant’s menu also features Cynthia’s home-made peach cobbler, inspired by and named after Cannon’s late mother. The dessert has become a popular item on the menu, and Cannon is proud to serve it to his customers.

For Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, 20/59 is offering 25 percent off a catfish dinner with two sides. The restaurant is open every day except Monday, and Cannon invites locals and visitors to come and try his unique Southern-Cajun fusion cuisine.

Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.